[Rumour] NHL offers Olympic participation in exchange for the NHLPA agreeing to extend CBA

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Mike F

Friedman is as trustworthy as a source can get, IMO, but the story doesn't make sense unless (a) the IOC and IIHF have solved the insurance and transportation costs issues, which would be huge news itself; or (b) the NHL is willing to foot the insurance and transportation costs for the concession by the NHLPA, which would be a huge concession by the league.

I saw something yesterday that the IIHF had offered to pay the insurance costs, but there's concern that it would come at the expense of other grassroots funding that the IIHF provides and the NHL doesn't want to be seen as taking money away from organizations that need it.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by Mike F

Friedman is as trustworthy as a source can get, IMO, but the story doesn't make sense unless (a) the IOC and IIHF have solved the insurance and transportation costs issues, which would be huge news itself; or (b) the NHL is willing to foot the insurance and transportation costs for the concession by the NHLPA, which would be a huge concession by the league.

That was resolved a couple of days ago: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/g...ing-wednesday/

"“We will do the same thing as we did in Sochi (in 2014),” said Fasel"

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Parallex

No obligation sure... but I'd argue that Olympic participation benefits the league through the additional exposure for the sport.

The owners clearly disagree. And they are the ones paying the bills.



As far as the players hating escrow goes, that is very easy to fix. Instead of setting the 50% share of HRR as the salary midpoint, set it as the salary cap. Yes, this means the players will make significantly less on their direct contracts, as salaries would have to be dramatically lowered, but there would not only be no escrow at all, but the league would have to send the union millions of dollars to top up to that 50% share at the end of every season. All players would get a bonus cheque at the end of the year.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by neo45

The World Cup was botched beyond repair when they had made up countries playing in it.

Like the Rio Olympics?

[Oil Stain]

I'm all for this. I'm sick of lockouts all the damn time.

[Strange Brew]

This doesn't sound right. If I am the NHLPA, I have no interest in Olympic participation being used as a bargaining chip on an issue of economic substance.

[MarkGio]

This is the league trying to weaken union support. If the NHLPA agrees, they hurt their members who don't participate in the Olympics(ie, guys like Stajan), but if they don't agree, they hurt their European stars who want to participate.

I predict the NHLPA won't extend, and if they don't get to participate, they use it as fuel to encourage a strike. The NHL has a juicy TV contract for the first time and a lot of players are receiving signing bonuses for a potential labour stoppage in 2018, so I can see the NHLPA wanting to finally get the upper hand in the negotiations and strike.

The league must have recognized this and started to get an early start on negotiations and hence is using the Olympics as leverage

[Kjesse]

If true this is a surprising offer. I like others thought the owners would use the next CBA to further pressure the players downwards on issues such as contract length and HRR.

Using the Olymipics, which will apply to at most what, 1/5 of the union players, to extend is a tactic I find hard to understand.

It also suggests the players actually did not get the best deal possible last round.

[Weitz]

Its in the NHL's best interest to extend the CBA, as I would imagine they don't think the next one will be as good for owners.

I don't think the players bite because I think they would still go anyway.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I don't think there is any way the CBA isn't ended early, and some sort of work stoppage occurring again

How do you figure the CBA is ended early? That's the entire point of a term on a CBA, and a work stoppage from either side (lockout/strike) can't occur while a CBA is in place. Unless course it's the worst written CBA in history.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

How do you figure the CBA is ended early? That's the entire point of a term on a CBA, and a work stoppage from either side (lockout/strike) can't occur while a CBA is in place. Unless course it's the worst written CBA in history.

I meant at the opt out clause.

[powderjunkie]

I've always thought the players should be more on the hook for transport + insurance (just as every other athlete at the Olympics has to worry about their own finances/make sacrifices - of course there is plenty of complexity in how they can recover money through grants/sponsorship, etc.).

The old guys would take a hit the first time, as they would need to help subsidize the young stars (with greater potential earnings/less existing wealth), but they would pay it forward 4-8 years later.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

How do you figure the CBA is ended early? That's the entire point of a term on a CBA, and a work stoppage from either side (lockout/strike) can't occur while a CBA is in place. Unless course it's the worst written CBA in history.

There's a clause to opt out, although I'm not sure what the period of time is to exercise it. I'm pretty sure the players will almost certainly do so in order to leverage the owners, especially if the clause allows them to do so at any point during the season or just before the season starts.

Donald Fehr orchestrated the MLB strike a while back so he's not apposed to doing it.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

There's a clause to opt out, although I'm not sure what the period of time is to exercise it. I'm pretty sure the players will almost certainly do so in order to leverage the owners, especially if the clause allows them to do so at any point during the season or just before the season starts.

Donald Fehr orchestrated the MLB strike a while back so he's not apposed to doing it.

The Owners have first right and tell the PA on September 1, 2019. If they decide not to opt out the PA has till September 19, 2019 to decide.

I may be slightly off but that's roughly how it goes.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I meant at the opt out clause.

Sorry, for some reason I thought you meant prior to that.

[N-E-B]

They should do what basketball does and move hockey to the summer Olympics. It would be a bit weird at first but who cares? Possibly financial concerns about building arenas though.

[Clarkey]

What is the players issue with escrow? Don't they get it back if the league collects too much?

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

What is the players issue with escrow? Don't they get it back if the league collects too much?

It sucks missing a huge chunk of your paycheque, even if their paycheques are massive. Yeah they get most if not all of it back, but it really can swing what you end up making in a down year. I think they just don't like the uncertainty, and the concept of it is a little weak. If the league earns less money, the cap goes down so future contract signing gains are lowered, and they still have to pay the escrow. The players lose twice on that one.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

It sucks missing a huge chunk of your paycheque, even if their paycheques are massive. Yeah they get most if not all of it back, but it really can swing what you end up making in a down year. I think they just don't like the uncertainty, and the concept of it is a little weak. If the league earns less money, the cap goes down so future contract signing gains are lowered, and they still have to pay the escrow. The players lose twice on that one.

No they don't. Escrow is like a withholding tax - it ensures the players aren't overpaid.

League HRR is estimated, and the cap is set based on the estimate.

Then, once actual revenues are known, the difference, plus any overspending vs the midpoint of the cap, are calculated and adjust actual salaries. If there is a deduction, that amount of escrow remains withheld. The rest of the escrow - and if there is no deduction, then all of it - is returned to the players.

The players receive 50% of HRR, no matter what.

[Eric]

Win win for the fans...

More years without a lockout, and Olympic hockey.